RAF Patch ATC Squadron c 241 Wanstead Woodford Air Training Corps Ops

RAF Patch 241 Squadron Wanstead And Woodford Air Training Corps ATC Patch 1990s Embroidered on twill cut edge 64mm by 64mm two and one half inches by two and one half inches.

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The UKs Air Cadet Organisation ACO or Air Cadets is a UK-wide cadet force sponsored by the Royal Air Force and operates as the Air Training Corps the RAFs cadet force divided into six regions 36 wings and more than 900 Squadrons within communities around the UK and the Combined Cadet Force made up of cadets from all three services in approximately 200 independent and state schools across the country. The organisation aims to promote and encourage a practical interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force among young people and to provide training including flying
which will be useful in the Services and civilian life and encouraging the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship. There are more than 40000 cadets aged 13 and 20 and additional adult RAF and civilian support staff.

In the later part of the 19 Century many schools formed uniformed units of adults and older boys to train and protect Britain in the event of attack
from overseas and were re-titled Officer Training Corps (OTC) in 1908.  During the 1920s schools began establishing OTC Air Sections in Army uniform but with RAF armbands.

The Air Defence Cadet Corps ADCC was established in 1938 to prepare young men for a life in aviation with the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm with the first 50 Squadrons registering becoming founder squadrons entitled to include the letter F after their squadron number with Leicester becoming the first ADCC squadron as No 1F Leicester Squadron in July 1938. By 1940 there were 207 squadrons with more than 20000 cadets. In February 1941 the ADCC was renamed the Air Training Corps. During the War the OTC Air Sections were absorbed into the ATC. In 1948 the OTC was renamed the Combined Cadet Force and most of the original OTC Air Sections became CCF (RAF) units and some CCF (RAF) sections carrying a history of nearly 150 years of service.

241 Wanstead & Woodford Squadron Air Training Corps ATC is based Woodford Green Essex and is part of London Wing London And South East Region.

241 (Wanstead & Woodford) Squadron held its first parade on 3 February 1941 in the memorial Church Hall South Woodford. Sir Winston Churchill
became the Squadrons first President at the end of February 1941 and took a keen interest in the Squadron visiting on several occasions. By late 1941 the Squadron had split into two and Wanstead & Woodford Wing was formed with the two squadrons 241 and 1823 with over 1000 cadets and two full time recruiting shops in Woodford and Wanstead High Roads. 241 Squadron specialised in Aircrew subjects and 1823 Squadron in Engineering. 1823 Squadron was disbanded soon after the War leaving 241 Squadron to operate in the area. The Squadron relocated to Napier College in Chelmsford Road South Woodford with additional premises at Eagle Lane Snaresbrook and many of the local schools provided extra
facilities. The Sqn moved to Broadmead Road HQ and in 1987 moved to its current HQ at Finchingfield Avenue Woodford Green.

This patch dates from the 1990s.